Happy New Year to you also,
I do not think that Elizabeth Emmanuel, one of your ancestors, can be the same Elizabeth Emanuel, my great grandmother, whose maiden name I do not know. She was born in Llangennech circa 1835 and entered service with the Emanuel family at Wernddu Farm, Ammanford. Whilst working on the farm she lost an arm in a threshing machine.
She married David Emanuel (11 years her junior) and at the time it was remarked "what is David marrying Elizabeth for as she will be no use as a farmer's wife?" Subsequently, David and Elizabeth opened a Grocer's shop in Wind Street adjacent to the "old" New Inn with its thatched roof opposite the location of the Cross Inn Hotel (see photo below). They had four daughters that survived childbirth; Anne, Mary, Rachel and Lizzie - all of whom were educated at Abbey House, a private school in Llandeilo. David Emanuel committed suicide in 1898. Elizabeth, was a very shrewd and successful business woman and continued to run the shop, despite the fact that she could neither read nor write. Her daughters entered the daily transactions when they returned from school!
Her eldest daughter Lizzie married Joseph Phillips, a tinplate worker from Pantyfynnon and a prominent rugby player and cricketer in Ammanford. On Elizabeth's retirement to a house she built in College Street. Joseph Phillips was responsible for developing the Lloyds Bank Block in Quay Street (see recent photograph below); one unit of which became his delicatessant shop whilst Mary Emanuel (his sister-in-law) ran Emanuel's ladies outfitters next door.
The third photograph shows Elizabth Emanuel at her house in College Street surrounded by her family. Her "lost" left arm is concealed by her shawl. Joe Phillips is the one with a moustache and Mary Emanuel is next to him on the right. Others in the photograph are Ivor Elias (my grandfather) and Rachel (his wife), Anne Phillips and Ivor Elias and Phyllis Elias (my mother)
